ESSEX >> The town is among 16 municipalities throughout Connecticut that will receive nearly $6 million in funding under the latest round of the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program, which assists smaller communities with infrastructure and capital improvement projects.

Essex was awarded $491,887 for a project that will enhance Centerbrook Village’s Main Street.

The statewide funding announced Monday is the second round of grants announced this year.

The town’s project will focus on sidewalk improvement and replacement on the south side of Main Street, where continuous sidewalks are in various stages of deterioration, according to a press release. It will benefit the community by enhancing the multi-modal, complete-streets setting that Essex hopes to create while improving on the economic, commercial and social environment of the historic village, the release continues.

“It is important that we secure funds for our small towns so that they can undertake and be able to pay for local projects without further burdening property taxpayers,” state Rep. Phil Miller, D-Chester/Deep River/Essex/Haddam, said in a prepared statement.

“By partnering with our smaller communities, our state can assist towns with infrastructure projects that will help them grow, remain competitive, attract businesses and bring added value to residents for years to come,” said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. “These STEAP grants allow us to get funding directly to municipalities to complete projects that make Connecticut a better place to work and live.”

To be eligible, a town must have a population of less than 30,000 residents, not be designated as a distressed municipality or a public investment community, and not have an urban center.

Since 2011, small towns across Connecticut have received approximately $230 million in funds under the program. An earlier round of STEAP 2016 grants was announced in February.